Jay Leach a coaching candidate for the Rangers
The New York Rangers are currently on a mission to find a new head coach, and it looks like Seattle Kraken assistant coach Jay Leach is on their list of options. The Kraken has reportedly granted the Rangers permission to speak with Leach, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
It is still unknown whether or not the Rangers have interviewed Leach already. The 43-year-old coach has never been a NHL head coach, but he has been an assistant coach for two seasons on David Hakstol’s staff in Seattle and has been with the club since their inaugural campaign in 2021-22.
Leach had been part of the Kraken team that managed to advance to the Western Conference semifinals this season, beating the defending Stanley Cup champions, Avalanche, in the first round of the playoffs before losing seven games to the Stars in the conference semifinals.
With five seasons of experience as a head coach at the American Hockey League level, Leach could bring the necessary experience and skills needed to successfully lead the Rangers as head coach. The Rangers have also expressed their interests in Maple Leafs’ Spencer Carbery and ex-Capitals coach Peter Laviolette as potential candidates to fill the vacancy.
Currently, the Rangers are in the process of rebuilding the team, allowing younger players to take on significant roles. It will be interesting to see how their new head coach will guide the team in the upcoming season, and whether or not Jay Leach will be given an opportunity to fill in that role.
Source: nypost.com